Systems and Methods for Plant Sample Collection and Extraction

Abstract

The present disclosure is directed to implementations of systems and methods for plant tissue sampling utilizing a sampling clip. The clip may be used to obtain a tissue sample of a plant and retain the sample for subsequent analysis. The clip, including the sample, may be shipped (if necessary) without the user ever needing to contact the sample directly. In many implementations, the sample may be automatically extracted from the clip for analysis without requiring human intervention. As a result, cross-contamination possibilities may be avoided or eliminated. The clip and/or sample collectors may be disposed of after use or sterilized in a group.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A system for sampling biological materials, comprising:
 a sampler device comprising:
 a first portion comprising a first cutting surface, 
 a second portion comprising a second cutting surface configured to engage with the first cutting surface, and 
 a collector chamber positioned in the first portion or second portion, configured to receive a biological sample after engagement of the first cutting surface and second cutting surface. 
   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the collector chamber is part of the second portion. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 2 , wherein the collector chamber is bounded by the first cutting surface and second cutting surface, after engagement. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface has a substantially cylindrical profile with a hollow core. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 4 , wherein at least one of the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface comprises an interior protrusion configured to prevent passage of a sample through the hollow core. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 5 , wherein the interior protrusion comprises a ledge. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising an insertable probe sized to fit through the hollow core to push a collected sample out of the collector chamber. 
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein an opening to the hollow core in one of the first portion and the second portion comprises an angled chamfer to facilitate said probe insertion. 
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 4 , further comprising an extractor tool comprising:
 a sampler device retainer; and   an actuatable extraction probe sized to fit through the hollow core to push a collected sample out of the collector chamber into a sample receiver.   
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 9 , further comprising an automated extraction system comprising:
 a sampler device retainer; and   a probe for extracting samples from a sampler device positioned in the sampler device retainer.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10 , wherein the automated extraction system further comprises a second manipulator that includes a liquid handling system. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the automated extraction system further comprises a receiver arm to position at least one sampler device under the probe. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein during engagement, the second cutting surface and the first cutting surface form a substantially gas-tight seal. 
     
     
         14 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the collector chamber is removable. 
     
     
         15 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first portion and the second portion comprises an opening into an interior of the device, and further comprising a sealing element configured for placement over the opening. 
     
     
         16 . The system of  claim 15 , wherein the sealing element is further configured to maintain engagement between the first cutting surface and the second cutting surface. 
     
     
         17 . A method for sampling biological samples, comprising:
 positioning a sampler device around a portion of a plant or other organism;   actuating the sampler device to cut a sample from the portion of the plant or other organism, the cut sample captured in a collector chamber within the sampler device; and   transferring the cut sample from the collector chamber into a sample receiver.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising, prior to transferring the cut sample from the collector chamber into the sample receiver:
 positioning the sampler device around a second portion of the plant or other organism; and   actuating the sampler device to cut a second sample from the second portion of the plant or other organism, the second cut sample captured in the collector chamber along with the first cut sample.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein transferring the cut sample from the collector chamber into the sample receiver further comprises:
 positioning the sampler device within a retainer of an extractor tool; and   extending a probe of the extractor tool into a hollow core of the sampler device to push the cut sample into the sample receiver.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein transferring the cut sample from the collector chamber into the sample receiver further comprises positioning the sampler device in an input retainer of an automated extractor device, the automated extractor device comprising a probe for extracting samples from the sampler device.